Science Essay Writing Competition 2018 – A Review of Major Contests
The year 2018 saw many prestigious science essay writing competitions take place around the world. These competitions serve to encourage interest and participation in science among students and promote scientific discovery and progress. They play an important role in identifying and cultivating young scientific talent. This article provides an overview of some of the most notable international and national science essay competitions held in 2018, their topics, prizes, and other details.
International Science Essay Competition
One of the largest and most illustrious international science essay competitions is the International Science Essay Competition organized annually by Cambridge University Press and sponsored by Cambridge Assessment. The 2018 edition marked the 30th anniversary of this competition. It attracted over 5,000 entries from students aged 16 to 19 years in over 70 countries. The top essay earned the gold prize of £3,000 while silver and bronze winners received £2,000 and £1,000 respectively. Additionally, special prizes were awarded for the best essays in different categories like humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical sciences etc.
The overarching theme for 2018 essays was “Technology and its Impacts.” Students were invited to critically discuss how a particular emerging technology might impact individuals, societies and the environment. Strongly researched and scientifically argued essays offering original insights were highly appreciated. The gold winning essay examined the promises and perils of gene drives and related technologies and called for careful risk assessment and governance framework. Other notable essays discussed topics like blockchain, cybercrime, nuclear fusion, brain-computer interfaces and more. The high caliber of submissions demonstrated the keen intellectual curiosity and scientific temper of today’s youth.
US National Science Essay Competition
In the United States, one of the largest nationwide science essay competitions is organized annually by Science News, a leading science media organization. The 89th edition of the Science News Student Science Writing Competition was held in 2018. Open to middle and high school students across America, it attracted over 500 entries on the theme of “The Science of Cities and Communities.” Winners were awarded cash prizes up to US$ 2,000.
Essays covered diverse topics within the broad theme like urbanization trends, environmental impacts of cities, smart city technologies, transit systems, affordable housing challenges and more. The grand prize winning essay analyzed how advances in geospatial technologies and big data analytics could help planners build more equitable, resilient and sustainable communities. Other noteworthy submissions discussed use of social media and crowdsourcing to boost civic participation, application of biomimicry in infrastructure design and renewable energy solutions for small towns. The caliber of submissions underscored the curiosity and analytical abilities of America’s youth in dissecting complex science and technology issues.
UK National STEM Essay Competition
Organized by the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the National STEM Essay Competition is one of the UK’s most coveted science writing prizes for secondary school students. The 2018 edition attracted over 350 entries from students aged 11 to 18 years. Essays could be on any topic related to science, technology, engineering or math (STEM).
Winning entries that year explored diverse issues like cybersecurity challenges, carbon capture technologies, new frontiers in medicine, artificial intelligence in education and more. The grand prize of £1,000 was bagged by a 16-year old for her essay proposing innovative renewable energy solutions for island communities. Other prize winning submissions discussed hyperloop transportation, graphene applications, space elevators and more. The scientific insight and writing abilities displayed by UK’s young minds delighted judges and highlighted the potential of next generation STEM talent in the country.
German National Physics Essay Competition
With the aim of fostering interest in Physics among German youth, the German Physical Society organizes an annual national Physics essay competition. The 2018 edition saw participation of over 750 students aged 14 to 19 years from across the country.
Winning essays tackled topics at the frontiers of Physics research like dark matter detection, exoplanets, gravitational waves, quantum technologies and more. Judged based on depth of content, clarity of ideas and quality of expression, the top prize of €500 was awarded to a 17-year old for her essay explaining Higgs Boson and its significance. Other essays discussed developments in materials science, plasma physics applications and more. The competition was a testament to the curiosity and knowledge of German students in cutting-edge areas of fundamental scientific research.
National Science Writing Awards, Australia
To recognize excellence in science communication among Australian students, the Australian Museum holds the prestigious National Science Writing Awards competition annually. The 2018 edition attracted over 300 entries from primary to higher secondary level students across categories of writing, multimedia, photography and artwork.
Winning works showcased students’ understanding of diverse science concepts through news reports, documentaries, infographics, photos, illustrations and more. The Young Scientist Award for the best written work by a secondary student was won by a piece exploring applications of nanotechnology. Other exceptional entries discussed black hole discoveries, Mars exploration, Great Barrier Reef conservation and more. The creative caliber displayed underscored Australia’s youth’s scientific intellect and communication skills.
In Conclusion
The above sampled competitions bore testament to the scientific curiosity and communication abilities of students worldwide. Through research-intensive and well-articulated entries on topics at the frontiers of scientific knowledge, participants demonstrated how today’s youth are keeping pace with latest advances and grappling with their real world implications. These contests play a vital role in honing young minds, encouraging scientific careers and paving the way for innovations of tomorrow. Looking ahead, such high-quality competitions nurturing the next generation of scientific pioneers deserve continued support from sponsors, mentors, educational institutions and governments.
Andrew Stroud